Delray Beach Postpones Vote on 'Garage' Sale

Michelle Lynn of West Palm Beach joins a group rallying in support of Arts Garage.

Credit C. DiMattei

A crowd of about one hundred supporters of the Arts Garage gathered outside the venue Tuesday and marched the few blocks to Delray Beach City Hall. They were prepared to speak out against a bid by the law firm of Kanner and Pintaluga to buy the city-owned space that houses Arts Garage.

But they never got the chance.

Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney pointed out that a vote on the issue at this point would drive hundreds of jobs out of the city.

“I do not want to send a message that Delray is not friendly to business," Carney told the crowd. "This law firm currently employs 85 people in Pineapple Grove. Their business is growing so fast that they need to expand to accommodate 200 employees. And that is why they need the garage space.”

Carney also said that he’s a regular patron of Arts Garage. In just two years, the performance hub has become a major player on the South Florida cultural scene – offering everything from puppet shows to live jazz on the ground floor of a city parking garage.

Delray Beach commissioners voted unanimously to postpone a decision on the issue until April 16th – to give the personal injury law firm a chance to bid on other available city-owned property.